A Gem for Discerning Readers

 When I found that Andrew Levkoff’s new book, Little Gods, A Tale of Ancient Wonders could be pre-ordered, I stood in line being familiar with his award-winning “The Bow of Heaven Trilogy.” 

Just a few days ago, “Little Gods” finally went live on my Kindle and – four-hundred pages plus notwithstanding – I finished it abandoning all other duties (except for feeding the cat).

With Little Gods, one definitely puts on one’s thinking cap. It is also apt to haunt one’s dreams as it poses philosophical as well as dreaded existential questions: Why does Mankind worship God and gods? Why does Man wage war? Why is love so elusive?

But not to worry. There is plenty of tension in a hamlet of Ancient Mesopotamia. Levkoff cleverly weaves the moral of his story into the relationship between two young boys, Scolotes and Melyakhat. One good, the other bad – we initially assume. Wrong. Levkoff is deft in exposing the many sides of human beings as there is no clear division - not even in saints nor in the little gods – and we begin to feel empathy for both as they seek acceptance in their community. Their struggles become epic during those ancient times. And then, there is the beautiful Leyla ...

Another twist is the insertion of Hovan’s struggle in modern Iraq – on the same soil where the Little Gods lived, loved, and fought to stay alive.

Little Gods is by no means a quick, forgettable read. If it were, it would not deserve five stars from this discerning reader. It is a gem for historical fiction lovers who will appreciate the extensive Glossary and Timeline at the end with the also appended Bibliography underlining Levkoff’s extensive research and knowledge of his subject matter.

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Gods-Tale-Ancient-Wonders

Check out Andrew Levkoff's excellent Trilogy here:

https://www.amazon.com/Andrew-Levkoff

 

Action/Adventure in One Box Set

Four Novels

  

Individually priced at $3.99 each

These four present-day action/adventure novels are based on ancient treasures from Book 1, Khamsin, The Devil Wind of The Nile.

 

At over 1,000 pages, the Price for all Four is ridiculously low

(if I may say so myself).
 

This new Box Set is now available on 
Amazon for Kindle
at $5.99

US-Legends-Winged-Scarab-Box-Set-ebook/

UK-Legends-Winged-Scarab-Box-Set-ebook/ 

Another Homerun in Alison Morton's Roma Nova Series

 I received a pre-publication copy as a reviewer for the Discovering Diamonds review site; however, another tough reviewer beat me to it in posting his on Helen Hollick's Blog (definitely worth reading) where it received the  

Discovered Diamond Award - see

https://discoveringdiamonds.blogspot.co.uk/carina-by-alison-morton

Here is my review: 

Alison Morton’s excellent Speculative History series poses the underlying question, “What If...” While the thread also runs through "Carina," it does not detract from the thriller-element of this novella.

Having read several full-length (5-star) volumes of the series, I had come to know Carina rather well as a hard-trained and self-reliant Praetorian Officer (with a rather dangerous penchant not to take orders too well at times). In "Carina," it was doubly satisfying to delve deeper into this feisty character defeating foes as well as her own past; we also glimpse her more vulnerable side (especially toward the swoon-worthy Conrad).

The writing once again is what we have come to expect from Ms. Morton: brisk and intelligent, with her material being well-researched as the imaginary autonomous country of Roma Nova fiercely guards her borders in the middle of an unstable Europe. 

Here, I'd like to mention the choice of covers for the series: Simply stunning. While the basic image for all books is the same, the one-word titles and their graphics beautifully stand out. There is no mistaking which book is which.

This is an exciting series for history and thriller lovers alike. 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/CARINA
Alison's Blog gives us many interesting insights into Roman Society:

https://alison-morton.com/2017/11/17/why-is-carina-just-a-novella/

Yeah, Don’t Mess with us Sprightly Ladies!

My Review of "Don't Mess with Mrs. Sedgewick"  

by Mary F. Martin 

This was not only a fun read, but should convince the “younger folk” not to discount us sprightly, well-mannered ladies they tend to ignore in their youthful self-importance. If hard pressed – as Mrs. Sedgewick was – we old gals can nimbly spring to action to foil evil perpetrators with aplomb.

Written in an easy style, the book provided me with much-needed chuckles and relief from my usual more serious reading fare. I call the book “delightful.” And I am sticking to it despite its “improbability,” as some reviewers contend.

Not so fast. There was a time when my apartment was broken into. It took me one year to get the robber behind bars simply through tenacious high-heeled legwork by myself; after which three police departments (Boston, Cambridge and Brookline) offered me a job as a detective (I said, "No, thanks").

Henceforth, “Don’t Mess With Mrs. Sedgewick” isn’t that far-fetched – as well as a very enjoyable read.

 

 Check out Ma4ry Martin's Amazon Author Page for more:

https://www.amazon.com/Marie-F.-Martin

Where’s My Suitcase?

My Review of  
Rare Steak, Red Wine, Hot Tango! 

by Helen Wilkie

This is an interesting, fun travelogue/memoir through Argentina. It also reads like a love letter to Buenos Aires.

This intrepid Canadian writer sets off into the Southern Hemisphere alone (even I – minimally geographically challenged through extensive travel myself – always marvel as I look at my atlas how “far down” it lies on the South American continent).

 

 During her first visit, the lady falls in love; not with a Latin lothario, but bustling, exciting Buenos Aires - and the Argentine Tango (and a brief video on her website attests she does it well).

 Not content to wander around the urban sprawl, adventures (sprinkled with the few inevitable misadventures) beckon from the countryside, friendships are forged, and always, there is good food with Malbec wine flowing freely. Copious dinners last late into the night to be counteracted the following morning by steaming coffee at busy outdoor cafés (which will also serve something stronger if needed). Now, that’s living!

I thoroughly enjoyed coming along for the journey – if only by virtue of Ms. Wilkie’s lively tales interspersed with photos and her own artistic sketches. At the end of her book, she generously shares websites and videos of her local friends who – she says – would be delighted to be of service when we, the readers, stop being armchair travelers, pack our bags and decide that we can do it, too! That’s what I call an inspiring read.

https://www.amazon.com/Rare-Steak-Red-Wine-Tango-ebook

 Also check out Helen's Amazon page with her entertaining short 11-book series "On the Road with Merry," written as M. H. Wilkie.

 https://www.amazon.com/Helen-Wilkie/e/B0034PDYDI

 

 

We Need Stories Like This

PS: I just downloaded and read this author's Story No 1 of her On the Road with Merry 11-book series (written as M. H. Wilkie). To my delight, it played out in Boston bringing back lively memories when I lived there. The Lost Boy is a heart-warming story we so sorely need these days. 

I recommend it as a delightful short read which left me feeling good.